Orange County, Calif. — The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission, a collaboration between the Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) and the International Skateboarding Federation (ISF), is proud to announce the addition of Skateboarding into the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. At the International Olympic Committee (IOC) general session today in Rio de Janeiro, the IOC unanimously approved Skateboarding as one of five new sports making their historic Olympic debuts.

The Organizing Committee for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games proposed the new sports in response to the flexibility provided by Olympic Agenda 2020 which is the strategic roadmap for the future of the Olympic Movement. Skateboarding’s vast youth appeal, accessibility and legacy plan make it a perfect fit for Tokyo 2020’s vision of a youth-focused and inspiring Games.

“I’ve always believed that if skateboarding was properly protected and supported, its appearance on the Olympic stage could change the world,” said Gary Ream, Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission Chairman and ISF President. “We’re excited to have that opportunity in Tokyo thanks to the IOC’s Agenda 2020 and the creation of the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission.”

The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission – a first-time partnership between FIRS and ISF – was formed under the guidance of the International Olympic Committee to ensure skateboarding competitions will be delivered at the highest level at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Commission is in charge of all aspects of producing the Skateboard Street and Park Terrain events at the Games. The three-person, international panel of members that form the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission include: Gary Ream, President, ISF; Simone Masserini, Executive Director, FIRS; Neal Hendrix, pro skateboarder and ISF athlete representative.

“This is a monumental achievement that makes our organization proud to be part of,” said Sabatini Aracu, FIRS president. “It will be our duty at the highest level to make sure that the presence of skateboarding in the Tokyo Olympic Games meets the highest expectations.”

Professional skateboarder and ISF athlete representative, Neal Hendrix, said: “I’m excited to be the athlete representative on the Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission. It is really important to me that skateboarding culture is fairly represented and protected on this global stage, and I hope skateboarders worldwide will be proud of the show that the best male and female skateboarders in the world are going to put on in Tokyo in 2020.”

About Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission (TSC)The Tokyo 2020 Skateboarding Commission is a partnership between the Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports and the International Skateboarding Federation formed under the guidance of the International Olympic Committee. The TSC is in charge of all aspects of producing the Skateboard Street and Park Terrain events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

About Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS)The Fédération Internationale de Roller Sports is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the governing body of Skateboarding. As the governing body, FIRS is responsible for institutional matters related to skateboarding including anti-doping, match-fixing and illegal betting.

About International Skateboarding Federation (ISF)The International Skateboarding Federation was established to provide direction and governance to the sport of skateboarding worldwide while upholding the culture, authenticity and lifestyle of skateboarding that is freedom of self-expression, passion and creativity.